Here we explore what the Internal Family Systems [IFS] model encompasses and how healing our own inner world can create ripples of compassion that extend from ourselves to our communities. These internal parts of the self can debilitate us with paralyzing fear, shame, feelings of not being good enough, and other enfeebling influences. Schwartz describes the goal of IFS is to help the internal parts of the self to transform from their extreme states into who they’re designed to be. He gives several examples of how he works with people such as care-givers who also become incapacitated by arthritis, or highly driven corporate executives who are overly dependent on achieving goals, as well as working with those who suffer from shame. He acknowledges that these parts are neither good nor bad and each can have wonderful qualities. His work is to encourage people to listen to these parts with spaciousness and personal curiosity so as to ultimately live a more balanced life.
